Statement by Cllr Jolene Bunting, Court Ward, Belfast City Council:
“It has been brought to my attention by business owners that Townsend Street Business Park will have to be closed on Monday 8th August due to the siting of a republican bonfire.
“These valuable local businesses cannot afford to close for a day, and customers will be unable to gain access to them. This is a terrible situation with neither the PSNI and Belfast City Council taking appropriate steps to allow the businesses to be able to trade as normal.
“I have been in touch with site management and business owners to try and steer a course through this. It is time for the PSNI and Belfast City Council to step up to the mark and protect these traders.”